This Site Is An Online Resource For Those Interested In Information About The Philadelphia Based Cult Known As MOVE And Convicted Cop-Killer Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Tony Allen is currently working on a book that amongst other things, chronicles his involvement with MOVE as well as the 2002 murder of John Gilbride

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Petition: "No To Parole For The MOVE 9"

(P.O. James Ramp)

Soon, preliminary parole proceedings are set to begin for the eight surviving MOVE members who were convicted of murdering Philadelphia Police Officer James Ramp.

For it’s part, the MOVE cult has initiated a world-wide campaign designed to pressure the parole board into releasing the convicted cop-killers.

And despite the fact that the judge who presided over the trial of killers of James Ramp called the idea of rehabilitation of these violent cultists "absurd", there is a real possibility that they could be paroled.

Although the idea that these un-repentant killers could be set free seems insane, it is not without precedent.

In fact, one MOVE member who was tried separately from the others has already been paroled.Consuella Africa is free to walk the streets of Philadelphia where she has helped to recruit new adherents of the sect and gleefully participated in the terror campaign waged against John Gilbride and his family that ended in his death.

In order to counter MOVE’s efforts I have started a petition of my own and am encouraging people to contact the parole board to remind them of the terror that MOVE has wrought in the past and continue to do so today.

So what have MOVE members in prison done to show their repentance evidence of rehabilitation? I offer a few examples.

-Back in 1981 a MOVE inspired riot led to 27 injuries at Holmesburg prison-MOVE members either initiated or participated in numerous other violent confrontations with prison authorities on numerous occasions that also led to various injuries to guards and prisoners.

-MOVE members engaged in disruptive "hunger strikes" as a means of protests.

-MOVE members have repeatedly been sent to "administrative segregation for numerous infractions of prison policies and have taken a general counter-productive approach towards their incarceration. As I write these words, a female MOVE prisoner has been sent to the "hole" for violations of prison policy.

-In typical MOVE fashion, MOVE members have taken no responsibility for the actions that they took on August 8, 1978 and instead insist on a revisionist and laughable scenario of that day that leaves them as the victims.

From prison, the cultists have acted as recruiters for the cult and have had their writings published in numerous "radical" journals as they advocate John Africa’s brand of "revolution".More assiduously, they did what they could from prison to support MOVE’s terroristic campaign against John Gilbride and his family.

In letters from MOVE members in prison, the attitude towards John's murder was one of barely muted, albeit obvious, happiness. Debbie Africa had this to say about John's death in a letter from December of 2002, just a couple of months after the murder:

"The situation concerning our sister, Alberta and Zack is resolved. We want to thank any and all of you who helped in the situation with Alberta and Zack....Y'all are the greatest."

In April of that year, Chuck Africa went even further with his candor regarding John's demise:

"Well, anyways it all worked out (the custody case). The folks out there really didn't believe the city would attack. Later I saw the psychology behind what happened & how it was handled. The city just couldn't afford to be aggressive becuz of May 13th and people were too aware of what was going on then? Do you understand what I am saying? It was really unlikely that things would turn out like they did. But, I was so relieved that things worked out. I don't need no more of my family killed, hurt, or imprisoned, as well as my friends and supporters."

To release the "MOVE 9" from jail would be to embrace madness. It is a shame that John Africa has rotted out the brains of the "MOVE 9" and turned them into maniacal killers, but to release them upon society would only serve to make our world that much more of a dangerous place. A reading of the above statements concerning John Gilbride’s murder only further demonstrates the maniacal contempt for life that MOVE has displayed.

Let those of us who know the truth work to ensure that these criminals remain behind bars where they belong.

While it is important to remember the crimes of the MOVE members, I think it also crucial that the victims of the cult’s violence also be remembered for their sacrifice. Here is a list of MOVE’s victims from the 1978 "confrontation".

Wounded Police Officer James Ramp (killed by a bullet fired from .223 caliber rifle linked conclusively to a weapon taken from MOVE HQ. This weapon was purchased by MOVE member Phil Africa.)

Lieutenant William H. Krause (gunshot wounds to the abdomen and right arm)

Officer Thomas Hesson (gunshot wounds to the chest)

Officer Charles Stewart (gunshot wounds to the right shoulder, leg, and head)

Officer Harry Mackel (bullet shots to the buttocks)

Officers Giest and Hurst (smoke inhalation)

Wounded Firefighters

John Walsh (bullet wounds to neck and head)

Robert Snead (shotgun pellet wounds to the face)

Dennis O'Neil (shotgun pellet wounds to the left arm)

Robert Lentine (shotgun pellet wounds to the face)

Two other firefighters sustained minor injuries

Of course, MOVE contends they did nothing but huddle in the basement of their house as the police attempted to "kill them". MOVE members claim to not only not fire a shot, but also claim to not even have any firearms. The facts say differently.

This list of bullet wounds to the firemen and police officers is relevant for, if one is to believe MOVE's conspiratorial theory of events, all of these men would have had to have been shot by their own comrades. They would also have had to have been shot by at least two different types of weapons, both shotgun and rifle.Let’s assume for a moment that MOVE’s theory is correct, that the police shot one of their own officers in order to railroad and convict MOVE members. If this were true, it would be a conspiracy that would literally involve hundreds of people. It would have to include the police themselves, officers who would literally turn their guns on their own friends and co-workers. Remember, it was not just Ramp who was shot, other officers were gravely wounded and could have lost their lives in the incident.

Firefighters would also have had to be in on the plan, as well. A number of them testified in court that they saw MOVE members with guns, as well as being fired upon by MOVE members through the floor of MOVE headquarters. Other firefighters were on the deluge hoses directing water into the MOVE basement when they were struck by the MOVE gunfire, gunfire that could only have come from the basement.

The media and other observers would also have to be involved in the conspiracy to frame MOVE. With only a couple of exceptions, the reporters on the scene clearly indicated that the gun fire came from MOVE’s basement and came first.

Facts About the Case of the "MOVE 9"

-More than 2,000 rounds of ammunition was removed from the MOVE Basement, as were eleven "operable" weapons.

-When Police and negotiators, Walter Palmer and a Catholic Priest, implored MOVE members to at least let the children go, the response was "Why don’t you take gasoline and set fire to us?"

-MOVE’s own children would tell investigators that "all" of the MOVE adults had weapons and that MOVE members opened fire "cause cops ain’t wanna shoot."

Please sign the "No To Parole For The MOVE 9" petition and also contact the parole board at the following:

1 Comments:

For those of you who don't recall why the MOVE 9 were incarcerated: In August of 1978, the MOVE home in Phila. was attacked by a small army of police armed to the teeth. MOVE members were forced down into their basement where they attempted to defend themselves against the onslaught of police fire. One officer was killed by "friendly fire" as evidenced by the trajectory of the bullet that killed him (downward). Even the judge who presided over the trial admitted that he didn't know who shot the officer. Nevertheless, 9 MOVE people were arrested and given 30-100 years each. Merle Africa, one of the 9, died in prison. The remaining 8 have refused to renounce MOVE (which would no doubt lessen their sentence). They are innocent of any criminal activity and should never have been incarcerated in the first place. FREE THE MOVE 9! KN

NO EXCUSES! NOW IS THE TIME TO PAROLE THE MOVE 9! NO EXCUSES!

The MOVE 9 completes their minimum sentence of 30 years in Aug. of 2008 and become eligible for parole. They will be interviewed by the parole board in a few months. We intend to do everything possible to insure that they are in fact paroled, so this Aug. 11th we are doing a car caravan through Philadelphia neighborhoods. We want to inform people of the current status of The MOVE 9 and gather support to pressure the parole board to release innocent MOVE people. We want as many cars and people as possible. If you want to participate but don't have a car, it's not a problem. Some people will be walking and handing out information to people. People can also alternate between riding and distributing info, so there's something for everybody to do, with or without a car. We will assemble at 45th & Kingsessing Ave. at 12:00pm. Join us for a day in the community and working for the release of The MOVE 9. This year's activity is more important than ever because of the upcoming parole hearings. It is not simply a commemoration of the Aug. 8, 1978 police attack on MOVE but it is the launch of our campaign for the parole of innocent MOVE people. Join us in the fight for freedom, including yours! ONA MOVE---THE MOVE ORGANIZATION

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About Me

For nearly a decade I was an adherent of the religious/political cult known as MOVE.
Thankfully, I was able to extricate myself from this dangerous sect and reclaim control of my life.
The story of how I left MOVE was featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2004.
Much of my current work has to do with the murder of John Gilbride in 2002.
John was killed while in the midst of a highly contentious custody dispute with the leader of MOVE.